Hello Everyone,
I’m currently in the UK, hence the newsletter is really late (my apologies). It has been a whirlwind trip – and hard to believe that 14 of our 18 days are already gone. I’ve been fortunate to visit England quite a lot of times – mostly in the past 4 years. There are so many things I love – I thought it would be fun to make a list.
- Sunny days (we’ve been fortunate to have quite a lot of them on this trip)
- The houses (well the really old houses with lots of character and believe me, there are loads of them)
- The parks – for such a small country with so many people, there are lovely parks everywhere. A favourite of mine is Richmond Park
- The narrow streets and lanes (although not so much fun when you’re driving!)
- English manners – most people are extremely polite
- Squirrels – they are everywhere and I just adore watching them
- Amber traffic lights that tell you the lights are about to go green
- The fact that you can play golf at Hampden Court Palace where King Henry the Eighth lived and there are deer on the fairways!
- Sitting in the sun on the edge of The Thames, watching the boats go by
- The Old English Pubs
- Going to the Rugby at Twickenham Stadium (the home of rugby) – and then meeting your favourite player at the hotel the next day! Yes that is Israel Folau and me looking a little star struck š
- Seeing friends that we’ve met all because of Alice-Miranda and Clementine Rose and making new friends each time too
- Hot English breakfasts
- That I now eat Marmite (although it still comes a poor second to Vegemite)
- M&S Foods (a type of supermarket that sells delicious food – and gorgeous flowers)
- English supermarkets like Sainsburys, Tesco and Waitrose – there is so much choice!
- English television – especially 8 out of 10 Cats, Location, Location, Location, Grand Designs and anything to do with history
- Booksellers – especially the ones we’ve become good friends with!
- My lovely UK editor and publisher
- London
- Villages like Great Missenden and Sarratt
- Tradition – I visited Harrow School last weekend and it was incredible
- History – you are surrounded by it everywhere you look
- All the fabulous schools I’ve visited and the wonderful children and teachers – it is always fabulously good fun
Have you ever been to England? What was your favourite thing? If you haven’t, what do you think you’d like to see the most?
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
PS My least favourite thing these days is the traffic and driving on the motorways and the fact that there are no powerpoints in bathrooms – so you always have to dry your hair in the bedroom and most often sitting down.
Hello Jacquline,
Looks like you have been kept very busy! I hope you are enjoying yourself. I used to live in England! I was born there and lived there for 5 years and then we moved to Tasmania. I can’t remember much about England but I can remember going to Sainsburys and Tesco:) Once I actually got lost in Tesco! I hope you will have lots of fun in Shanghai and Singapore.
From Melissa
Hi Melissa,
That’s a big change from England to Tasmania. Both are lovely places. We have arrive in Hong Kong and it’s really rainy. Hopefully it will clear up a bit so we have some sunshine. England was mostly sunny this time (except for Sunday when it was really windy). I love England but this trip went way too fast!
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
I’ve never been to England, but I think I’d like to see the famous building, like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the Tower of London. I like history too!
Hi Emma,
I have been to the Tower of London quite a few years back and it’s really interesting. A bit gruesome but the Crown Jewels which are held there are gorgeous. I’ve only seen the outside of Buckingham Palace as we always tend to be there either when it’s closed or I’m too busy to play tourist. One of these years we’ll get a peek inside.
Hope you get to England one of these days. I only went the first time when I was in my late 30s.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Thank you Jacqueline!
Hey Jacqueline, Hope you’re enjoying.
I’ve never been in England. But, I’m looking forward to visit England soon.
Best,
-Brian
Thanks – had a great time away. Hope you get to the UK soon too.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Hi Jacqueline
Wow!!!
There are so many great things that you have given to us it feels like I am on the trip to you. You were so busy the great wonders and sights were keeping you busy. As you were saying about the weather. I am glad that it was sunny other whys you wouldn’t be able to explore England. Its okay for the late newsletter all I like o mainly do on your website is to read all the wonderful blog posts on your website. All your storybooks has inspired me and taught me great stuff. As due to competition in my school abut book review writing I wrote about Alice Miranda at a Holiday and I came 1st. Thanks to you for writing such great books. I won a $500 voucher for Scholastic. So far I have bought a whole Alice Miranda book set and I cant wait till I read Book 15. By the way I have read Alice Miranda at China and I have adored it. It is so enjoyable that you cant stop reading it
Thanks Anshika
That’s fabulous about winning the Scholastic competition Anshika – your parents and teachers must have been very proud of you too! I’m glad that you enjoyed Alice-Miranda in China. I am in the final stages of editing Alice-Miranda Holds the Key – there are some really fun new characters in this one too. Thanks for your lovely words – you are very kind.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Hi Jacqueline,
I’ve lived in Australia all my life and never left the country. (at least next year, I’ll be going on a school trip to Osaka!)
I absolutely adore the English culture in books and television that I’ve seen. Doctor Who is definitely my favourite show of all time. I love their accents too. There are so many different types of English accents!
It would probably be my second favourite accent other than Scottish though.
I love your books and can’t wait for Alice-Miranda Holds the Key! Your writing is truly inspirational.
I write my own stories and hope to be published one day.
From, Annabeth
Hi Annabeth,
You sound a lot like me when I was younger. I loved anything to do with England and I was a big Dr Who fan too! Tom Baker was my favourite doctor. I went to Japan for my first ever overseas trip but I was 24 and working as a teacher. I adore English accents and I can do lots of them (and Irish and Scottish too!). Thanks for your kind words – I’m in the last stages of editing Alice-Miranda Holds the Key – I hope that you’ll enjoy it too.
Have a brilliant time in Japan – it’s one of my other favourite countries in the world.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Hello Jacqueline Harvey,
I Iove Alice-Miranda!!
Please write more!!
You are the best author ever!!
What age are these book set for?
Hi Madeline,
Thanks for your kind words. I’m definitely writing more books. The age range is roughly 7-12 although I have lots of readers who are older than that and still love the stories.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Hello Jacqueline Harvey,
I Iove Alice-Miranda!!
Please write more!!
You are the best author ever!!
What age are these book set for?
Thanks Madeline
Hi Madeline,
I’m so pleased that you’re enjoying the stories. I have Alice-Miranda readers who range in age from 7 to over 17! I think they don’t need any age boundaries myself. I will definitely be writing more.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Hello again Jacqueline,
Thank you for your reply.
What country is Alice-Miranda set in and what year?
Are you Australian?
Thanks Madeline
Hi Madeline,
I’ve never actually said where Alice-Miranda is set – happy to leave that decision to the reader. I’ve also never said what year. Yes I am Australian :).
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Dear Jacqueline Harvey
It sounds like your having a blast in the UK,
I wish I was there.
I am so excited the new book Clementine Rose and the Paris Puzzle is out now I have just started reading it.
It is sounding like a great book.
kind regards
Hattie.
Thanks Hattie – we had a great time in the UK. We’re now in Hong Kong and I’ve been visiting schools here. We’re going to Singapore next.
Hope you enjoy the new book.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Hi Jacqueline!
I’ve been a big fan of yours ever since my school was told that you were coming to visit. I have ordered two books Alice Miranda at camp and Alice Mirander at New York!
I can not wait to read them.
Best Regards
Lulu
Hi Lulu,
It was so much fun visiting your school today. I hope you enjoy your new books :).
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Dear Jacqueline Harvey
I hope your trip in Singapore all goes well
kind regards
Hattie
Hi Hattie,
Singapore was great – I loved it (except for the humidity – it’s a bit too hot for my liking but there are so many other great things I can forgive the heat!).
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
I love the alice-miranda books and i was wondering when you are going to write book eightieen
Hi Amelie,
15 will come out in February then 16 in September next year then 17 in February 2018 and 18 in September 2018, so a little while off yet. Hopefully there will be even more books after that.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Dear Jacqueline,
First of all, I just want to say thank you sooooo much for writing the Alice Miranda series! It is by far the best book series I have EVER read in my life!!! You are my favourite author!!!
Is there any chance that you could use my name as a character in Alice Miranda Holds The Key (unless you have already written it) or in another upcoming Alice Miranda book???
Thank you soo much
Adriana
Hi Adriana,
Well I’ve actually got an Adrienne in the story – Adie for short (but you never know when I might fancy having Adriana!).
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
hi Jacqueline i am a HUGE FAN !!!!!!!!!!!! i read so many of your books and they are so addictive. you are amazing and i would love to write like you someday as i am a horrible writer but a great reader š i have one question are you going to keep on writing books or stop at series number 20 or less???? also how do you get the ideas for a new book do you travel alot and get the ideas from that or do you just choose a random country????
kind regards
Kira š
Hi Kira,
I’m not sure how many books I’m going to do – at least 18 but hopefully more. I love writing the stories and I don’t see any reason to stop (except if kids stop reading them I guess or I fall out of love with the characters but I can’t see that happening anytime soon!).
I do travel a lot and I like to write about the places I visit. Sometimes though the idea is a bit more random.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Hi Jacqueline!
I absolutely love your books! I am a huge fan of your books, I hope you enjoyed your time in London. I am hoping to go one day. I just finished re-reading all your books! I can’t wait until the fifteenth book of Alice-Miranda comes out in January next year. I’d like to know where Alice-Miranda and Clementine Rose’s books are set.
Keep Writing,
Sophia
Hi Sophia,
I had a great time overseas – I love London and England in general. It’s a great place. I’ve never actually said where the stories are set. They could be the UK or they could be the Southern Highlands of NSW – I prefer to let the reader decide for themselves. Thanks for your kind words and I hope you get to London one day too!
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Hi Jacqueline! I don’t think you will remember me from my posts on your other blogs, but I’m Shari. I used to have 7 Alice-Miranda books but now I have 11 because my friend gave me 4 of her old books. I just finished Alice-Miranda in New York and I love it so much (even though I think that will change because every book I read just gets better and better) Thank you for writing such great books. I have read Alice-Miranda in China and I adored it. Every book you write gets better as the series expands. I love your books and I hope that someday I will get to meet you. I’m really happy that my Alice-Miranda collection is building up fast. You are the best author ever and that will never change because I am positive that I have read over 100 books in my life that are for kids and none of the books and authors were as good as you. I find your books really intriguing and if I ever have to do a book review for a competition or something than I would definatly review an Alice-Miranda book. Sorry that this comment is so long. I just want you to know that I adore you and your books a LOT. I can’t even explain how much I love the Alice-Miranda series.
From Shari
P.S I have never been to England but I would love to see Buckingham Palace and the Big Ben.
Hi Shari,
You are SO KIND! Thank you for your beautiful words. I can’t tell you how much they mean to me – especially when I’m struggling with a storyline or in the middle of editing – when I read comments like yours all the hard work seems more than worth it. I’m going to write at least 18 Alice-Miranda books and 15 Clementine Rose stories – hopefully even more of each.
Thanks again.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline x
Hi Jacqueline!!! I wonder if you remember me? I went to your high tea in England and a lot of my friends came. I live in England so I can relate to how much you love those things! I just wanted to say how much I love your books so much!! I have read over 300 books I’m sure and you are by far the best. Even though I’m almost eleven I know I will carry on loving the Alice Miranda series. Unfortunately I only have 4 alice mirandas if you include the Alice Miranda journal. I wish I had more but I’ve asked for them for xmas so hopefully I’ll get them! Please don’t stop writing. EVER. You are causing so much joy and I personally thank you for that. A few questions:
when will Alice Miranda in china be out in England?
Where is Alice Miranda set? Australia?
When is her birthday?
From Isra
Reply
Hi Isra,
Yes I remember you from the High Tea last year. It was such fun and I’m hoping to have another one next year in the UK. Thank you for your very kind words – I feel humbled that you love the stories so much and to know you’ve read so many books and love mine the best makes me feel so special. Alice-Miranda in China is out in Australia but the UK have yet to buy it so I’m crossing my fingers that it will be next year sometime. I have to talk to my publisher. They are a bit behind. I’ve never said where Alice-Miranda is set – in my head it’s a very English setting but I also used to work in a school in a part of Australia that was very much like the setting too. I like the readers to make up their own minds. Her birthday is similarly a mystery – I’m happy for readers to imagine it’s the same day as their own :).
Hope you’re having a great Autumn term and it’s not too cold yet.
Best wishes,
Jacquleine
I had always thought with Alice-Miranda’s big on introducing herself it seemed pretty English.
Hi Jacqueline!
I only started reading the Alice-Miranda books a while ago so i haven’t read them all. They are really good and I like Millie and Bonaparte he’s so naughty! Alice-Miranda and you have both been inspirational to me. I like the fact that Jacinita and Sloane are together- they can whine without anyone moaning! Are you writing a new book? I hope you are i love them so much!
Eden
Hi Eden,
I’m so thrilled that you’re enjoying the books. I love Millie and Bonaparte too – he’s a lot like a naughty horse I once owned. Jacinta and Sloane both started out quite badly but I love that their behaviour and outlook has improved a lot over the stories. I am currently finishing a book called Alice-Miranda Holds the Key which will be out in February. I hope you get to read it.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Hi Jacqueline! I’ve never been to England before but I’m sure its amazing. Id like to go and see the Big Ben and the Buckingham Palace, also do some sightseeing. from Orlanda.v
They are great places to visit. I hope you get to go one day.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Hi Jacqueline Harvey i’m Heidi i’m 8 and i adore your books. At the moment i’m reading Alice-Miranda at the palace. I’ve never been to England before but i like it here at Australia reading all of your amazing books before I go to sleep. I bought this book at my sfx school book selling store I hope you write more of these books because they keep on just getting better and better I wish one day i could meet you because your a brilliant writer and i wish i could get some of your writing tips.
kind regards heidi
ps. Great form of text your so cool
Hi Heidi,
Thanks for your kind words – hope that you get to read more of my books too.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Hi Jacqueline Harvey i’m 8 and i adore your books at the moment I’m on page 28 and i want to know what else happens in this chapter the book I am on is Alice-miranda at the palace and it is so good so far I wish one day I could meet you I’ve never been to England before though i hope you have a happy day
Kind regards heidi
ps. I love the text in this book
Thanks Heidi – hope you’ve managed to finish the story.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Hi Mrs Harvey
I absolutely love your books. I’ve never read anything like them before and I can’t even find the words to explain them.
Hi Jemima,
Thanks – I’m so glad that you like them. I love writing them š
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Hi Mrs Harvey
Forgot to mention, I’ve been to England just last year. I went to see the Buckingham palace, go inside the Kensington palace, Tower bridge and many others. I really enjoyed it and bet you did too!
Thank you for your amazing books and your creative ideas in all the places Alice Miranda visits!
Jem
Thanks Jemima – I’m glad that you enjoyed London too. I love it and I’ve been to all those places you mentioned as well. Now I like to find more out of the way places to visit. I can’t wait to go back each year!
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Hi Jacqueline! I love Alice-Miranda sooooo much! Do you think you could have a character named Shari from a different country or something? You don’t need to put it in Alice-Miranda holds the key but I would love to find a book with my name in it!
From Shari
Hi Mrs Harvey
Could you please do a book with my name in it
It would be greatly appreciated
Hi Jacqueline Harvey,
That trip sounds amazing! I’ve never been to London (I was born in China and moved to Australia when I was 4 ) Do you think you will have a meet and greet in Brisbane? I would love to come and meet you and chat with you about Alice-Miranda:)
-L.L
Hi there,
I am coming to Brisbane for a very special event in January. I will post all the details as soon as I can! Keep watching the events page and I will also make sure it’s in the newsletter too.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
I have not received the November newsletter yet. Hey where can we buy the new am diary.
Hi there – you should have it by now and you can buy the diary in any good bookshop – or order it online from Dymocks of Booktopia.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
I can’t wait to read your Clementine rose series .
Hi Anya,
I hope you get to read the stories soon.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
I’m from the UK, so glad you had a good time what was favourite part of your visit to the UK?
Best Wishes, Abigail roe
Hi Abigail,
There are just so many things that I enjoyed on my recent (and every) visit to the UK; I couldn’t possibly choose one favourite! Having said that, as a child and as an adult, I have always been inspired and entertained by the writing of Roald Dahl. My visit to the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden was amazing; to sit in a replica of his chair and to see his writing shed (an unconventional space to say the least) was certainly a highpoint.
Best wishes
Jacqueline